Spotlight fixed on ref McLean
IT is quite a feat to infuriate the fans of four different clubs in the space of six days, but Steven McLean has now managed to do exactly that.
After his Hampden horror show in last Sunday’s Betfred Cup semifinal between Motherwell and Rangers, along with denying Partick Thistle a stonewall penalty in their midweek draw at Hamilton, the under-fire referee was copping it from all angles once again.
With St Mirren and Morton locked at 2-2 in a pulsating Renfrewshire derby, McLean opted to book Saints striker Gavin Reilly for simulation on 83 minutes after it looked for all the world that Ton skipper Thomas O’Ware had fouled him for what have been a third penalty of the afternoon.
As it was, the game finished all square and St Mirren remain top of the table, but Buddies manager Jack Ross was far from pleased.
Ross, who had stated pre-match that he had no issue with McLean being demoted from Premiership duty to take charge of this match, said: ‘It was a penalty, there was absolutely no doubt about it. Gavin came off with a big cut on his knee because of that incident.
‘I felt Steven had a disappointing match and it will be interesting to see where he referees next week.’
After twice coming from behind to equalise, Morton were worthy of a point despite the late scare. Boss Jim Duffy admitted: ‘I had my heart in my mouth. I thought: “That’s a penalty”. But the referee felt it was a dive… and I will happily accept that decision!
‘We are delighted to come from behind not once but twice and get a result. It shows real determination and belief from the players.
‘St Mirren are top of the league and have been firing on all cylinders recently. So it was a test for us, but I thought we stood up to it magnificently.’
A mix-up between Jack Baird and Liam Smith gifted Jai Quitongo a clean run on goal after just four minutes, but his tame effort was tipped away by Craig Samson.
The Morton striker’s afternoon did not improve much thereafter, falling victim to a hamstring injury before the hour mark.
Both teams were battling testing conditions as much as anything in the early stages, with St Mirren’s Lewis Morgan and Morton’s Andy Murdoch both firing shots from distance which swerved viciously in the gusting winds.
And it was Morgan who was at the centre of things as the game exploded into life on 66 minutes. After he initially made a mess of a free-kick, the 21-year-old winger went on a run down the left and was needlessly tugged back by Michael Doyle.
Morton were adamant that the offence was outside of the box, but McLean disagreed. From the spotkick, Ian McShane confidently sent Derek Gaston the wrong way.
St Mirren’s lead lasted just two minutes, though, as Morton responded through Murdoch.
Mark Russell’s cross was cleared, only for the pint-sized midfielder to meet the ball flush and thump a piledriver into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
But Saints restored their lead just four minutes later. The excellent Cammy Smith dinked a clever ball into the box and Reilly was first to react with a terrific finish.
Not for a moment, though, did Duffy’s side look like they would accept defeat. A spirited fightback was duly rewarded with a second equaliser.
Gregor Buchanan had just been warned by referee McLean about an ongoing wrestling match with Ricki Lamie, but paid no attention and grappled the Morton man to the deck at a corner-kick.
The second penalty of the day was dispatched just as confidently as the first — Gary Harkins driving the ball beyond Samson.